I've always loved the plain looks of a brushed or polished alloy frame with a clear coat but unfortunately there were no options in my price range and style when looking to buy - So I had to opt for a bike with a pretty average color scheme but with decent running gear.

So, I was wondering what would be involved in stripping off the paintwork and stickers back to the bare bones?

If anyone has done a home jobby I'd appreciate any advice on materials/solvents used?
(It's a 7005 alloy frame)

Jacobite
I have just completed stripping a steel frame with 4 coats of different coloured paint. I used a caustic based automotive stripper which is water soluble. It took a lot of work to remove each coat but I got there eventually. There are aircraft grade paint strippers which if they can be used on aircraft should be OK for a bike frame. One I found on the net is product number CH8930.
Check with the supplier Callington_Haven for suitability.
Chemical products should only be used after the appropriate MSDS (material_ safety_ data_ sheet) is consulted and all safety precautions followed.

Thanks for the info, i'm gonna go the the paint stripper and angle brush route.
If it doesn't turn out then I'll look at a professional jobby.
I'll post up some before an afters assuming it doesn't turn to shite

I think you will mark the metal if use electric driven abrasives on aluminium. The paint stripper I used needs about 15 minutes on the paint before it works properly. I applied the stripper and then cleaned the paint off that was starting to lift. Then I kept reapplying the stripper and cleaning it off until the frame was down to mostly bare metal. I used fine wet and dry paper on the tubes to do the final polish before painting, but I had to use a wire brush in a drill on the steel lugs. There were slight wire brush marks on the lugs but most of these were removed with more wet and dry paper.

Yep was intending to use angle grinder or drill with metal brush attachments to get into those hard areas.
Do you remember what sand paper grades were suitable?
I'm intending to have a clear coat finish, so allot of sanding ahead to get it looking shmick no doubt.

A good tip when using paint stripper is put the layer of striper on the lay a plastic bag (or any other plastic sheet) over the top. Leave it over night then peel the plastic away, the paint tends to stick to the plastic and lift straight off. Less messy than scrapping and tends to do it in one go, instead of a couple of treatments.

fattima wrote:A good tip when using paint stripper is put the layer of striper on the lay a plastic bag (or any other plastic sheet) over the top. Leave it over night then peel the plastic away, the paint tends to stick to the plastic and lift straight off. Less messy than scrapping and tends to do it in one go, instead of a couple of treatments.

Mostly came off within a few minutes, but certain areas it is set more into the grain and needed sanding/scalpel out.

It's a Cell Team. It did look like this...
I started polishing it, but it came up so shiny it just didn't look right, was really tinny looking and cheap so I roughed it up again - reverting to the brushed alloy look.

I've decided to do the same to my rusted and chipped 15yo Shogun Trail Breaker, I used to ride this thing in high school... my nostalgic old beast. After initial tests it looks like its going to come up in a nice gunmetal gray shine.

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